John Dillinger

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John Dillinger

NARRATOR: This Indiana Bicentennial minute is made possible by the Indiana Historical Society and the law firm of Krieg DeVault.

Black and white video shows men in large overcoats and guns guarding a building, then someone pulling out a picture of John Dillinger from a filing cabinet.

PAULEY: In the heyday of Depression-era outlaws, the most notorious was Indiana’s John Dillinger. His gang robbed banks, the arsenals of police stations and killed 10 men. Dillinger escaped from jail twice, once with a wooden gun he claimed he whittled.

Black and white video shows Dillinger with his crew, and then the actual wooden gun he used to escape jail with.

PAULEY: But he was charged with homicide just once, returning fire after a policeman shot into Dillinger’s bulletproof vest. He shook police in 4 states for nearly a year, capturing the attention of Depression worn America.

Black and white video shows “Reward” signs for John Dillinger.

PAULEY: Wounded, he recovered at his father’s farmhouse in Mooresville, returning to Chicago and his doom. Fleeing from federal agents as he left a movie, he was shot and killed but his infamous legend continues to grow. I’m Jane Pauley.

NARRATOR: This Indiana Bicentennial minute is made possible by the Indiana Historical Society and the law firm of Krieg DeVault.